Project StatementAccording to Chen (2008), extensive research shows that student achievement is greater with parental involvement. The focus of this capstone project is on the use of parental involvement as a way to raise student achievementin the current digital world. Our aim is to design a project on which parents and students collaborate and utilize Internet technologies for educational purposes.
Question
Response
How will you improve learner performance by engaging learners in authentic experiences?
Parents and students will collaborate on projects assigned to the students as part of a multi-part collaborative assignment. Through a problem-based approach, learner performance will increase as parents and students develop solutions.
How will you facilitate learning through constructivist, collaborative learning experiences?
In addition to the solutions developed by students and parents, their collaboration will involve the use of Internet technology to create digital artifacts (e.g., podcasts and glogs) to create a presentation that describes both the collaborative experience and their knowledge gains.
How will you create sound instructional materials and learning environments that are based on solid research and learning theory?
The instructional materials and learning environment will be based upon a platform of sound research and learning theory. The project will employ constructivist learning activities that involve interactive collaboration. Instructional materials and the learning environment will reflect the learning profiles, preferences, and interests of the students, which will include the use of creative and critical analysis skills in order to successfully complete the learning objectives.
How will you facilitate the use of innovations through the diffusion and integration of new technologies and technological experiences for your learners?
The learners will be introduced to various web 2.0 interactive online tools that they will have the opportunity to learn how to use, for completion of their project. These tools will help emphasize their learning experiences; in addition, to preparing them with the collaboration and technology skills for tomorrow.
How will you most effectively manage this process?
This process will be managed by collaboration among the learners, parents, and instructors by using the resources described. Students, parents and teachers will communicate often throughout the project to ensure the guidelines are being met and any questions or problems are addressed on a timely basis.
What ethical considerations will you make to ensure sound decisions are made?
To ensure sound decisions in this project, respect will be shown for each individual's beliefs, values, and cultures. The project will be used as a way to incorporate cultural differences and similarities. This project will promote parent, teacher and student communication without judgment from any of the participants.
Describe the learning environment and population that will be engaged in your project
The learning enviroment is three classrooms which focuses on reading, writing and mathematics. The students involved can stem from grades 5 through 12 and will incorporate the help of parents through a parental involvement piece to the assignment.
Audience
Parents and students
Learner characteristics: grade level, number of students
Grade Level: 5-12
Anticipated entry level skills of audience
Demonstrates appropriate and acceptable use of the Internet and its resources, ability to navigate effectively, understanding of common terminology associated with the Internet. Basic keyboarding skills.
School environment
The school environment is concerned with students achievement and parent involvement to raise student achievement in the area of math and writing, using new web 2.0 technologies for the duration of the school year and projects throughout the year. The school recognizes that parent involvement is one of the keys for student success.
Support for project by community, parents, or administrators
Local businesses and organizations partner with the school by reading in the classrooms and working on projects that are real life. Parents should be willing to help their students excel in academics and be concerned about preparing them for the future.
References
Chen, G. (2008) Parent involvement is key to student success. Retrieved from http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/12